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. (j C3\, No. 779,262. NMF PATENTED JAN. a, 1905. ,.M E. N. BURKE. TRAY.

APPLIMTION FILED JUNE 24. 1904.

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UNiTED STATES essi AvAiLAeLE COT-f" Patented January 3, 1905.

EDVIN N. BURKE, OF SAGINAIV, MICHIGAN.

TRAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 779,262, dated January 3, 1905.

Application iiled June 24,1904. Serial No. 214,027.

.To (LI/, w/Lom it may con/cern:

Be itknown that I. EDWIN N. BURKE, aciti- Zen of the United States, residing at Saginaw, in the county of Saginaw and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trays; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in trays. and more particularly to the expansiblc type adapted especially for use in connection with index-card systems.

rThe object in view is the provision of a tray capable of adjustment to a maximum degree land from a minimum to a maximum size, de-

signed for facilitating the accommodation `of card-indices of varying sizes.

Tith this and further objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions,combinations,and arrangementsof parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a perspective view of a tray embod ving the features of the present invention, the parts being illustrated as extended almost to the maximum degree. Fig. 2 represents a similar view of the same with the parts contraeted to almost the minimum size. Figs. 3 and 4. represent similar views of the same, the parts being shown in intermediate positions. Fig. 5 represents atransverse vertical central section taken through a modification of the Fig. 6 represents a similar view of a further modification. Fig. 7 represents a detail fragmentary perspective view of part of the elements illustrated in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, l indicates a tray, and 2 a similar tray, each of said trays being' madeup of sides 3 3 and a bottom 4, formed of parallel slats spaced apart. and secured at' one end to an end plate the plate 5 closing the end of the respective tray and the opposite end thereof being left open. The slats or strips of tray l are so positioned as to intel-lace with those of tray 2, and the free ends of the slats or strips of each of the trays are bound together by a suitable strap 6, the interlacing of the strips of one of -the trays with those of the other being such as to facilitate passage of the strips of one tray beyond the plate 5 of the other tray, whereby, as clearly seen in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the said trays are adapted to assume a position with respect to each other such that the plates 5 will iic in contact with or contiguous to each other, or said plates may be moved apart to such an extent as to bring the straps 6 in contact with each other. It is to .be observed that this maximum degree of movement of the parts is made possible by the fact that the interlacing strips are secured to the edges of the plates 5 and extend outside the planes of said edges, and the `strips of tray l are therefore free to slide in their longitudinal movement past the plate 5 of tray 2 transversely thereof in contact with the edges of said plate, and the strips of tray 2 move in a similar manner with respect to the plate of tray 1. The thus interlaced trays produce a case adapted to contain index-cards in any desired number, the case being designed to be employed for containing a relatively small number of cards or a relatively large number, as preferred.

While I have described the present improved trays and case produced thereby as designed especially for use as a card-index container, it is to -be observed that the tray may be employed for any purpose Where variation in the size of the case is of value.

As seen in Figs. 5 and 7, one of the trays instead of being made up of an end plate and strips square in cross-section may be made up of a suitable end plate 6, to the end and bottom edges of which'are secured T-webs 7 7, each carrying at its outer edge a tube 8, adapted to be inclosed by a tubular casing 9, fixed to the plate 6 of the opposite tray, the attachment of the casings 9 and webs 7 to the respective plates 6' and 6, as seen in Fig. 7, being such as to permit the passing of the free ends of tubes'8 and casings 9 past the opposits plates 6 and 6.

A further modification is seen in Fig. o. wherein one of the trays may be constructed of an end plate 10, to the side and bottom `2 i sEsrAvnirABrE COP" 779,262

edges of which are secured I-beams 11 11, designed to have their outer web inclosed by suitable casings 12 12, fixed to the plate of the opposite tray. (Not illustrated.)

Thus it Will'be seen that various modifications, such as are suggested by the. disclosures in Figs. 5 and 6, may be employed Without in the least departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention being directed to the production of a case made up of a plurality of trays having the elements thereof interlacing in such manner as to facilitate a maximum expansion or contraction.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

- l. A case comprising a plurality of trays, each made up of an end plate and side and bottom slats secured to the end and bottom edges of said end plate, the slats of one of the trays being positioned for interlacing With the slats of the other of said trays.

2. A case comprising a plurality of trays, veach made up of an end plate and slats spaced apart and secured to the edge thereof, the slats of one of said trays being spaced apart in such manner as to facilitate interlacing of the slats of the other of said trays therewith.

3. A case comprising a plurality ,of trays, each made up of an end plate and slats secured to the edge thereof` and spaced apart, the slats of one of the trays being positioned for facilitating interlacing of the slats of the other tray, the slats of each of the trays extending beyond the plane of the edge of the respective plate to. Which the same are secured, whereby the slats of each lof the trays are adapted to be moved past the plate of the opposite tray.

4. A casing comprising a plurality of trays, each made up of an end plate, side and bottom slats secured to the edges of said plate and lying outside the planes thereof, the slats of one tray being spaced apart for facilitating interlacing of the 'slats of the other tray, and a binding-strap securing the free ends ofv the slats of each of said trays together.

5. In a case, the combination of a plurality of trays each comprising an end plate and a plurality of strips, the strips of each of said trays interacting withthe strips of the other tray for producing said case, and the relation of said strips being such as to permit the end plates of the trays to approach each other nearer than the length of the strips of either of said trays and also to permit said end plates to be moved apart to an extent greater than the length of the strips of either of said trays.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

EDWIN N. BURKE. Witnesses:

J. I. MCKELLAR, WYMAN L. PAXsoN. 

